With bright orange to red flowers that attract birds and bees to the garden, Greyia sutherlandii is a small to medium sized shrub with a naturally open framework. Not widely offered for sale, yet ideal for hot dry Australian conditions we think this is a plant that deserves a little more attention by the industry and gardeners.
The flowers appear as dense bottlebrush like spikes and last well as cut flowers. From South Africa, this is a hardy easy care plant once established.
Care
A sunny position with at least 6 hours of sun is best. A well drained soil is essential.
- Dig soil over well before planting and improve drainage if needed.
- Add a little compost and a little aged cow manure
- Plant at the same level as the plant was in the container.
- Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
- Mulch around the plant to maintain a cool root run and help suppress weeds.
- Water during long dry periods over the first few summers.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Greyia sutherlandii
- Common Name – Natal Bottlebrush, South African Bottlebrush, Beacon Tree.
- Family – Melanthiaceae
- Position – Full sun
- Soil – Well drained.
- Height – To around 3 – 4 metres
- Spread – To around 3 metres.
- Flowers – Bright Orange to Red
- Flowering Time – Spring to summer
- Foliage – Mid green
- Frost tolerance – Medium to light frosts only.
- Drought tolerance – Yes.
Greyia sutherlandii is available for sale from the following participating nurseries
Peter Teese's YAMINA RARE PLANTS phone : (03) 9752 0035 m: 0438 520035
82 David Hill Rd Monbulk (Opposite Vika Ave)
Japanese Maple and Magnolia specialists, Wholesale and Retail. Large range of other deciduous and evergreen ornamental trees and shrubs.
www.yaminarareplants.com.au
82 David Hill Rd Monbulk (Opposite Vika Ave)
Japanese Maple and Magnolia specialists, Wholesale and Retail. Large range of other deciduous and evergreen ornamental trees and shrubs.
www.yaminarareplants.com.au